I am wondering about two steps in my winterization process, loosening the packing nut on the stuffing box (not dripless) and putting RV antifreeze in the bilge. What is the purpose (if any) of the former? If you don't have bad deck leaks and the boat is on the hard, why would you want the latter?
Winterization preferences
- Thread starter T37 Phil
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Bilge
You should run the anti freeze through both the electric bilge pump and the manual bilge pump. If you don't, whatever water remaining in the pumps and lines could freeze and cause damage.
You should run the anti freeze through both the electric bilge pump and the manual bilge pump. If you don't, whatever water remaining in the pumps and lines could freeze and cause damage.
stuffing box
what would be the advantage to loosening the stuffing box nut unless you intend to repack it?
what would be the advantage to loosening the stuffing box nut unless you intend to repack it?
Expansion
The only reasons I could think of is to give it room to expand should it freeze/thaw over winter or to prevent it from drying out in a compressed form making it difficult to reseal in Spring. I'm not really convinced of either explanation. As for the bilge, I do pump antifreeze to clear the manual pump. I suppose there is no reason to stop pumping. I would think a dry bilge is better than a wet one.
The only reasons I could think of is to give it room to expand should it freeze/thaw over winter or to prevent it from drying out in a compressed form making it difficult to reseal in Spring. I'm not really convinced of either explanation. As for the bilge, I do pump antifreeze to clear the manual pump. I suppose there is no reason to stop pumping. I would think a dry bilge is better than a wet one.
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